Featured Advice To Foreign Bikers On French Roads

Please be adviced that when riding in Sweden, it is of utmost importance that you salute in the proper way. You make your left hand a fist and point the middle finger towards the sky. If you miss this when meeting a motorcycle gang, they WILL turn around, run you off the road and beat you up, so beware.

 

strange...I can't say young bikers are worse than the olders one, or are just interested in the size of your bike..., I did not notice that HD riders didn't wave back, generally they do...at least this is true at home...
I live in northern France, one of the ugliest part of Europe (if not of the entire world), one of the poorest zone of the country, one of the most cloudy & rainy part of the country...BUT people are the most friendly, reliable, simple & helpful you can find in France, even we also have many assholes too...
Maybe it explains that I'm always surprised when I'm not waved back...

 

What with you madly waving, nodding and shaking your legs about whilst grinning insanely at everyone, I think most people would think you’re a bit ‘special’ and give you a wide berth.

Much like what happens to me when I try talking to people on the London Underground. It’s amazing how many people get off a stop or three before they intended, or how people gravitate to the other end of the carriage - even in rush hour. It seems no one is genuinely interested in my collection of slugs I keep in matchboxes.

 

If you waved at every bike you see at the IOM TT they would think you are having an epileptic fit.

 

I don't feel that if I'm honest. 99% friendly and interested in the bikes etc wherever I've been.

 

That confirms my observation. HD riders are just like others now, with more money.
And only a few of them are able to check oil level and tire pressure without going to the dealer.

 

Like the op mentioned somewhere, my grumpy feeling comes also from the area I live now.
Savoie is a quite posh area (it's now called "la Riviera des Alpes" on touristic papers ), and a destination for sunday riders, sport cars owners, etc.

It's the first place when it's raining people are asking me why I ride a motorcycle.
And yes I'm sure people in north of France are way more friendly.

 

harley people never used to wave back unless you were on a harley. thats changed and everybody waves at everybody.

except for the very occasional harley newbie still insecure with tbeir image. they steadfstedly look the other way. i wave anyway. someday theyll figure it out

 

Yep, they really are friendly here, and I was born here, that's why I can live here without shooting myself .
But If I could, I'd go to the "riviera des alpes" to ride the Sprint GT or drive my 500 Abarth Competizione on the twisty mountain roads, just for fun...
Had a 100 km trip towards the coast and back yesterday with the bike on the motorway ....horribly boring.......no curves......no hills........ UK campervans overtaking trucks at 90 km/h ...
I'd like to see a slug collection !
IOM TT bikers are fools released from their asylum, and it's really fine !!!

What's an oil level and a tyre pressure?? where do you buy them?? As we are talking about mechanics, do I have to replace the brake pads on my engine brake??

 

.

 

Are you sure it's bikes ..?

 

I won't ask them

 

Nice dog!

 

Waving is done here as well, I'm in Mexico

 

I remember the first time I took my throttle hand off the bars to wave when riding with a sidecar.

Bike violently veered right across the right lane towards the central reservation

I grabbed repeatedly where the handlebar should have been until I got it

Opened throttle

Bike swung back left again but with sidecar wheel lifting, so...

Had to close throttle to get the wheel back down causing the bike to head towards the central reservation again.

I finally got it under control but was rather more careful about acknowledging other riders after that

 

brilliant. blagged

 

Actually I find the 'Adventure' bike riders are the worst for not nodding, 99%ers......

 

Actually I find its the 99%er 'Adventure' riders that don't say hello.

 

I ride a Tiger and give a either a very regal style wave or a frantic one like I’m swatting a wasp. Which has happened a few times when one gets in the lid!